The “Financial Assistance to Scheduled Castes for Funeral Rites” scheme is an initiative by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Government of Puducherry. The objective of this scheme is to provide a one-time financial aid of ₹10,000 to Scheduled Caste families to help cover the expenses of performing the funeral rites of their deceased family member, thereby alleviating immediate hardships.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance:
A lump sum of ₹10,000 is provided to eligible families for funeral rites.
Eligibility
- Scheduled Caste Requirement:
Both the deceased and the applicant must belong to a Scheduled Caste. - Relationship:
The applicant must be a close relative of the deceased. - Income Criterion:
The annual family income should not exceed ₹2,00,000. - Residency:
Family members of the deceased should either be natives of the Union Territory of Puducherry or have continuously resided there for at least 3 years.
Application Process
Online
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Registration:
- Visit the Official Website of the e-District Portal of the Government of Puducherry.
- Click “Login” at the top right corner and select “Register a New Membership.”
- Fill in all mandatory fields such as Username, Password, Full Name, Email Address, Address, Gender, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, and complete the Captcha Code.
- Agree to the declaration and click “Signup.”
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Login:
- Once registered, log in using your Username and Password by clicking “Sign In” on the home page.
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Access Scheme:
- A list of schemes will be displayed department-wise.
- Click on “Financial Assistance to Scheduled Castes for Funeral Rites” to open the online application form.
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Application Form:
- Fill in all mandatory fields (marked with a red asterisk) and upload the required documents (self-attest if required).
- Tick the declaration stating, “I hereby declare that the above-mentioned details are true and correct as per the best of my knowledge.”
- Submit the application and note the application number, which will also be sent to your registered mobile number/email.
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Tracking:
- Track your application status using the “Track Your Application” link provided on the portal.
Documents Required
- Residence-cum-Nativity Certificate.
- Aadhaar Card of the Deceased.
- Aadhaar Card of the Applicant.
- Caste Certificate.
- Income Certificate.
- Ration Card.
- Burial Certificate.
- Death Certificate.
- Recent Passport-Size Photograph of the Applicant.
- Voter Card.
In the absence of an Aadhaar Card, the applicant must provide their Aadhaar Enrolment ID along with any one of the following:
- Bank or Post Office Passbook with Photo.
- Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card.
- Passport.
- Ration Card.
- Voter Identity Card.
- MGNREGA Card.
- Kisan Photo Passbook.
- Driving License issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- Certificate of identity with a photo issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar on official letterhead.
- Any other document specified by the Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the geographical criterion for eligibility?
The scheme is applicable to Scheduled Caste families in the Union Territory of Puducherry who are natives or have continuously resided in Puducherry for at least 3 years. - What immediate hardship does the scheme aim to address?
It aims to alleviate the financial burden of performing funeral rites for the deceased, easing the immediate hardship faced by the family. - Can non-Scheduled Caste individuals apply for this financial assistance?
No, only individuals from the Scheduled Caste category are eligible. - Is there a specific website for tracking applications?
Yes, beneficiaries can track their application status on the e-District Portal of the Government of Puducherry. - Where can individuals find contact information for queries related to the scheme?
Contact details are available on the official website under the “Contact Us” section. - How much financial assistance is offered under this scheme?
The scheme provides a one-time assistance of ₹10,000. - Is there any compensation for the delay in the disbursal of the scheme benefits?
No, there is no compensation for delays. - Can applicants from neighboring states/UTs also apply for this scheme?
No, the scheme is exclusively for residents of Puducherry as per the specified residency criteria. - Is there an application deadline for this scheme?
Applicants should refer to the official guidelines; there is no fixed deadline mentioned in the guidelines. - Are there any age restrictions for the deceased individual covered under this scheme?
The guidelines do not specify an age restriction for the deceased. - Can the financial assistance be utilized for purposes other than funeral rites?
No, the funds are strictly for the performance of funeral rites. - What measures are in place to prevent misuse of the financial assistance?
Eligibility is verified through cross-referenced official documents and certificates, ensuring that only bona fide cases are approved.